Dogs come when they're called; cats take and message and get back to you.
- Mary Bly
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Carnival of HR
Rowan Manahan, who never sleeps, is hosting the Carnival of Human Resources.
Lots of interesting posts.
Read it. Remember it. Live it. Or something to that effect.
Lots of interesting posts.
Read it. Remember it. Live it. Or something to that effect.
Life in the Middle
There's a business story that I'd like to see quietly shredded in the editor's office:
The overnight success.
Not that they don't exist. I know there are entrpreneurs with rockets on their shoes who decide to launch pet rocks, cheap computers or gourmet chocolate chip cookies and then watch as they are shocked - shocked, mind you - at the market's ardent embrace.
Unfortunately, those stories are as inspirational as the ringing of a slot machine and ultimately as demoralizing.
First off, most of those overnight successes aren't. What the journalists leave out are the many hours of preparation and moments of failure, the whacked out decisions, the shouting matches, the countless humiliations, and the spouses and relatives who wondered if Ed or Mary was ever going to wake up and fly right.
But even if those sad preliminaries didn't happen, the overnight success story is often deceptive. It implies that people should swing for the fences when, in most cases, going for base hits and bunts is wiser.
The sudden successes also carry a message that is less than pleasant. "What's wrong with you?" is hidden in the subtitles. If this character can pull off a mega-hit, why aren't you at least within striking range?
It's odd because the news media normally tend to go for the negative stories at the expense of the positive ones. The exception is their overnight success gushers. That habit is misleading for while journalists like the extremes, life is usually lived in the middle. Don't tell us about the huge failures or rapid victories. Reveal instead how a person has built a reasonably successful career without being imprisoned by a monomaniacal desire to make more, more, more. Explain how this was done while being a decent spouse and parent.
Life in the middle has a nobility that does not exist at the far sides. The ability to maintain that nobility is one of the major challenges of life. It deserves to be studied and even honored.
And those successes don't happen overnight.
The overnight success.
Not that they don't exist. I know there are entrpreneurs with rockets on their shoes who decide to launch pet rocks, cheap computers or gourmet chocolate chip cookies and then watch as they are shocked - shocked, mind you - at the market's ardent embrace.
Unfortunately, those stories are as inspirational as the ringing of a slot machine and ultimately as demoralizing.
First off, most of those overnight successes aren't. What the journalists leave out are the many hours of preparation and moments of failure, the whacked out decisions, the shouting matches, the countless humiliations, and the spouses and relatives who wondered if Ed or Mary was ever going to wake up and fly right.
But even if those sad preliminaries didn't happen, the overnight success story is often deceptive. It implies that people should swing for the fences when, in most cases, going for base hits and bunts is wiser.
The sudden successes also carry a message that is less than pleasant. "What's wrong with you?" is hidden in the subtitles. If this character can pull off a mega-hit, why aren't you at least within striking range?
It's odd because the news media normally tend to go for the negative stories at the expense of the positive ones. The exception is their overnight success gushers. That habit is misleading for while journalists like the extremes, life is usually lived in the middle. Don't tell us about the huge failures or rapid victories. Reveal instead how a person has built a reasonably successful career without being imprisoned by a monomaniacal desire to make more, more, more. Explain how this was done while being a decent spouse and parent.
Life in the middle has a nobility that does not exist at the far sides. The ability to maintain that nobility is one of the major challenges of life. It deserves to be studied and even honored.
And those successes don't happen overnight.
Quote of the Day
He writes so well it makes me feel like putting the quill back in the goose.
- Fred Allen
- Fred Allen
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Ambiance
Some music is great for long drives and some is great for parties but which CD do you fire up when you are focused on completing a project and want something that will be beautiful but not elevator music, strong but not distracting?
My pick is Hans Zimmer's soundtrack to The Thin Red Line.
Any other nominees?
One Step Higher
A common management mistake is to correct a problem at one level without reviewing what occurred at the next highest level that may have led to or encouraged the problem.
Thus, the first-line supervisor is sacked but no one reviews how that person's manager supervised the supervisor. "He didn't work out" or "She didn't make the numbers" doesn't answer the questions of "Why was this person hired in the first place?" and "Was what caused the problem preventable?"
This doesn't mean a negative tone or review. A more positive After Action review is crucial lest managers become wary of signing off on any corrective actions for fear of placing their own actions within disciplinary range. There are patterns, however, that can be troubling and which cry out for investigation. There should also be sufficient review prior to significant actions, such as terminations, so unjustifiable decisions can be stopped.
It has been noted that organizations are designed to get the results that they get. An impersonal review of "What went wrong?" rather than "Who did wrong?" will produce far better results in the long run and yet there is a powerful temptation to find a culprit. Unfortunately, sometimes the poor performer is being blamed by someone whose own performance is questionable.
Thus, the first-line supervisor is sacked but no one reviews how that person's manager supervised the supervisor. "He didn't work out" or "She didn't make the numbers" doesn't answer the questions of "Why was this person hired in the first place?" and "Was what caused the problem preventable?"
This doesn't mean a negative tone or review. A more positive After Action review is crucial lest managers become wary of signing off on any corrective actions for fear of placing their own actions within disciplinary range. There are patterns, however, that can be troubling and which cry out for investigation. There should also be sufficient review prior to significant actions, such as terminations, so unjustifiable decisions can be stopped.
It has been noted that organizations are designed to get the results that they get. An impersonal review of "What went wrong?" rather than "Who did wrong?" will produce far better results in the long run and yet there is a powerful temptation to find a culprit. Unfortunately, sometimes the poor performer is being blamed by someone whose own performance is questionable.
Too Clever By Half?
Florida State University decides to fine professors who are late in turning in final grades.
Sounds creative.
But is it wise?
[Wade's Rule #7: Beware of automatic procedures that are implemented to avoid direct resolution of the problem.]
Sounds creative.
But is it wise?
[Wade's Rule #7: Beware of automatic procedures that are implemented to avoid direct resolution of the problem.]
Miscellaneous and Fast
Knock, knock: Yes, Virginia, there is a Fuller Brush Man.
Gold Rush: Salaries attract young professionals to Dubai.
"Resurgent, Dracula-based tourist industry": Anthony Bourdain defends his show in Romania.
Nitwittery update: Some school officials in New Haven have way too much time on their hands.
This poll about young Americans doesn't fit the stereotypes.
Basics: Meet middle-class millionaires.
Wired: Top 10 April Fools pranks for nerds.
True love: GQ finds the Russian bride business has changed.
Gold Rush: Salaries attract young professionals to Dubai.
"Resurgent, Dracula-based tourist industry": Anthony Bourdain defends his show in Romania.
Nitwittery update: Some school officials in New Haven have way too much time on their hands.
This poll about young Americans doesn't fit the stereotypes.
Basics: Meet middle-class millionaires.
Wired: Top 10 April Fools pranks for nerds.
True love: GQ finds the Russian bride business has changed.
Quote of the Day
Having a family is like having a bowling alley installed in your brain.
- Martin Mull
- Martin Mull
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